Miami's Best Eats and Drinks This Weekend: Blues & Barbecue Festival and Gronsaksbullar

Get your thinking caps on Miami, because this weekend's activities include a little cerebral workout (but don't worry — there are cocktails and good food involved). From enjoying barbecue and the blues in Redland to a chef hosting a book club to a poetic cocktail, to learning a new word (though we suspect it might be made up) — it's time to learn something new!

Weekend starts now!

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Redland Blues and Barbecue Festival Get out of the city and head over to one of the Redland's hidden gems for a weekend of good food and music. Fruit and Spice Park is usually all about tropical fruits (which you can sample as long as they've already fallen off the trees), but for two days, the fragrance of blooming florals are replaced by the scent of ribs grilling and the trill of birds shares sound-space with some great country and blues acts at the Redland Blues and Barbecue Festival. The festival takes place Saturday April 11 and Sunday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features award-winning barbecue, kid's activities, pony rides, and more. Admission is $8 for adults; kids 11 and under are free.

Cindy Hutson hosts a book party.

Courtesy of Cindy Hutson

Cindy Hutson's Book Club Dinner Here's a book club with bite. Chef Cindy Hutson is celebrating her first cookbook, From the Tip of my Tongue on Sunday, April 12 with a read and eat dinner at her Coral Gables restaurant, Ortanique on the Mile. Chef Hutson will prepare a three-course meal, then entertain you with some personal stories about creating her book. The dinner is from 6 to 8 p.m. and the $70 price includes the meal, sparkling wine, and a signed copy of her book.

Ikea's Gronsaksbullar

Courtesy of IKEA

Eat Some Gronsaksbullar You're probably asking what the hell is Gronsaksbullar and why do I want to stick it in my mouth? That's the Swedish name for IKEA's vegan meatballs, just launched a few days ago to much fanfare by PETA and other members of the vegan community. According to Ikea, the meatless balls are filled with tasty chunks of vegetables. Coming on the heels of these balls are veggie and chicken balls, which will be available starting June 30. For now, a 10 Gronsaksbullar plate is $4.49 — perfect for fueling up before shopping for bookcases.

Sra. Martinez returns...for a bit.

Courtesy of Michelle Bernstein

Sra. Martinez Returns We know you've missed Sra. Martinez. But, like an old friend that moves out of Miami, she's come back for a visit, of sorts. Chef Michelle Bernstein is bringing the Design District lady back for a limited time, starting today, April 10. The pop-up, located at the 1930s House at the Thompson Miami Beach Hotel, will be open for dinner, starting at 6 p.m. (and Wednesday - Sunday until further notice) with a menu that includes crudos, carpaccios and ceviches, among other favorites. Tonight, enjoy live Cuban sounds from Reiko & Renoir, starting at 9 p.m.

Poetry...We'll drink to that!

Photo by Gesi Schiling

Drink in Some Poetry at BLT Steak O, Miami celebrates poetry month throughout April and we say, we'll drink to that! What are we having? The Poetry Palliative, which was created by David Weiss, general manager of BLT Steak at The Betsy for poetry month. Have one at BLT Steak, where every weekday in April, two invited poets will gather on The Betsy's veranda at 5 p.m. to read two poems. Or, make a Poetry Palliative at home with this recipe:

Poetry Palliative

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Laine Doss is the food and spirits editor for Miami New Times, has been featured on Cooking Channel's Eat Street and Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race. Doss won an Alternative Weekly award for her feature on what it's like to wait tables.